Vehicle lamp



Dec, 30, 1924. v 1,521,239,

c. A. GoDsHALK VEHICLE LAMP Filed March 4, 1924 Z'Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec,30, 1924.

C. A. GODSHALK VEHICLE LAMP Filed March 4. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VEHICLE LAMP.

Application filed March 4, 1924. serial No. 696,881.

To ZZ 10710272/ t -mag/ concer-n.:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE A. GonsHALK, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ardmore, in the county` of Montgomery and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inVehicle Lamps, whereof the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention is designed and adapted to provide motor vehicles with headlights in compliance with the various. laws throughout the UnitedStates, which require the manifestation of lights forwardly from thevehicle, but forbid such manifestation in such direction or with suchpower as to afford a glare to the vision of persons approaching from'the opposite direction. Ordinarily, such lights are projected fromcasings which are circular and provided with lenses or other dimmingmeans which diffuse or Vsuppress a portion of the light which is thuswasted.

It is an object and effect of my invention to vavoid such waste bydividing the total volume of light "from each casingin. two portions,one of major brilliancy which is directed bothv forwardly and laterally,so as to illuminate the road but at such an angle as to prevent theglare forbidden as aforesaid the minor portion of the light from eachcasing being directed both forwardly and laterally so as to supplementthe illumination by the major portion of the light, but at such angle asto be visible to persons approaching in the opposite direction, withoutaffording a glare, because of the low power of that portion of thelight. As hereinafter described, I prefer to use lamp casings which aresubstantially rectangplar and of greater extent horizontallythan-vertically at their fronts, and to provide each such casing withtwo separate and distinct openings for the respective bright and dimlight rays projected therefrom; said openings being substantiallyrectangular and parallel with each other. Moreover, I prefer to providea septum between said openings i11- cluding a visor projecting forwardlyfrom the casing.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement hereinafter more definitely specilied.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a vertical sectional View of head lightcasing and appurtenances embodying my invention, taken on the line I, Iin Fig. II.

Fig. II is a fragmentary plan view of a pair of such structures asindicated in Fig. I, provided with a yoke bar arranged to sup.-

,port them in proper relative position upon a vehicle.

Fig. III is a front elevation of the lamp structure shown in Fig. I,showing its yoke bar connected with the front of a vehicle which isdiagrammatically indicated.

Fig. IV is a. vertical sectional view of a head light casing embodying amodified form of my invention, wherein a visor is extended from thefront of the casing above the upper light opening, instead of betweenthe light openings as in Figs. I to III.

Fig. V is a. fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. III, but showing theform of my invention indicated in Fig. IV.

Fig. VI is a vertical sectional view of a headlight casing, similarto'Fig. IV, but

having supporting means permitting its angular adjustment laterally to avertical axis.

. Fig. VII is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. V, but showingthel structure indicated. in Fig. VI.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to III inclusive;the head light casings l are each rectangular in front configuration andprovided with two sepaate and distinct openings 2 and 3 which arehorizontally oblong, substantially*'rectangular and parallel with eachother, with a septum betweenthein, including. a forwardly projectingvisor 5. Said visor is conveniently formed of a plane piece of metalrigidly connected with the casing l; but may be, or include, a panel ofcolored glass or Celluloid. VEach of said casings has, in rigidconnection with its rear wall, a bracket 6 with a cylindrical socket 7extending therethrough and adapted to tit upon the yoke bar 8. Saidbrackets may be provided with any suitable clamping means, for instance,set screws 9, whereby said casings l may be adjustably secured upon saidbar in any desired relation with each other. However,

with respect it may be observed that by such construction andarrangement, each of said light casings l is susceptible not only oflateral adjustment but also-of angular adjustment wlth respect tothehorizontal axis of said yoke -bar 8. As indicated in Fig. III, saidyolre bar 8,-1nay be provided Withend Abrackets 11 for .rigid connectionWith opposite guards 12 for the vehicle Wheels 13.

Y Iny the forni of .niy invention shown in Figs. I to III inclusive; thesource oflight Within the casing 1 is an incandescent-cleo.,

tric lainp bulb 15 having its plug 16 mounted in a suitable socket 17with its axis parallel With the axis of said yoke bar 8 and transfverseto .theilength of the vehicle. It may .beob'served .that saidlbulb 15 isdisposed with such Vaxis belowthe plane of the. visor 5 and thelfrefiector 18 is so formed and lo- I`cated `as `to project the major:portion ofthe f lightfromfsaidsouirce 15 forwardly through' said casingopening 3 below said visor.

However, the inner Walls of said lcasiiigs 1 falso afford reflectingsurfaces supplementing"saidireiiectorrlSg consequently', soine of .ftheflight from the source 15 is `diffused aside from .the inain beams lof.respect-ive bright 'rays `20 :and dini .rays 21 indicated ,loy theAdash :lines .in Fig. I. Aslindicated in Fig. I; said light openings 2and A3 ina-y be covered by .a transparent .or translucent panel 22', to4exclude dust, rain, etc., from said-casings v1. .Suchelosures .arepreferably formed :of .glass for cellu'loid, and iiiay be :either olaneor lenses.

The formof niy invention shown in Figs. IV zand V differs from thatabove described in that the yisoriis located above the upperV Lightiopeniiig, the source fof llight :is an electric incandescent lbullbhaving its axis parallel With the light openings,rand .dim rays areV:'rmofiected above the bright rays .by rek'fiedtifoii from the V:bottomof the casing. In 4r() said figures; the headlight casingf24 isrecitangiular in front configuration and pro- Y fvided' avith@two:separateriand distinct open- :ings 25 :and :26 `which :arelhorizontally ob- Y long, substantially rectangular and parallel with:each other with ,a septum 2.7 between them. .ilz'lowever, the visor .28extends for- 'Wardly from lthe :upper portion of said cas- Said casingy24 has, in rigidconnection with its l:rear Wall, 'a bracket '6 with aicylindnical socket 7 extendino .therethrough 'and adapted :to iiitfonsaid. yoie 19a-V8. Said Y `bracket may be providedwith anyrgsuitable IFigs. IV and V.; 'the ysource of light. Within.

@the{casing1.24is- .an incandescent electr-ic lanip builbO having itsplug 31` niounted 1in a suit- Vsable socket. 32 with .its axis parallelto the axis offsaid yoke bar 8 and parallel with the i light openings25'and 26 in said casing. -It

rection oftraverse of the vehicle,`is above said septum 27 andv that thereiiector 34 is so constructed and arranged as -to Vproject lbright rays35 and 36 forwardly and down- .ivardly .to illuminate the road, but thatthe iniierwvafl'lsfof said .casing 24 also afford Vre-Viiecting'surfaces supplementing said reiiecV maybevobserved,that-the:axisof said bulb 30,'W`hich thusextends'transversexito the di-V 'toV tor 34 and projecting diinrays 37above said. Y

bright rays V35.. As indicated in Fig; IV; said llight openings .25 Vand2 6niay be covered by-a transparent or translucent panel 38,Y tofVexclude dust, rain,'1etc.,fr.om said casing 24.?1Such closi'ires arevpreferably .formed VVof glass or Celluloid and may -be 1either planelor lenses. Y

Theform of my inve-ntion-sliown in Figs.

VI and VVII differs fromV those iabove deV scribed in Vthat rthe axis ofeach Vof the'head lights `:may be singularly adjustedlaterally. In saidfigures; the head .light casing 40is yrectangi'ilar in frontconfiguration and lpro- With each otheiywith a septum 43 `between them.However, the visor 45 isrlocated above the upper 1openingf41.'Said-casing@ has,

.vided withtwo separate Vand vdistinct open-V ings 41 and 42 which larehorizontally ob-y, long, substantially rectangular and parallel"Y inrigid connection`avithitsurear wall,V4 a

tending therethrough and Vadapted .-toiit .upon the Vcylindricalstandard 48 :which Vis rigidly connected withl the automobile ,framefnieinber` `50. 4 'vided with anysuitableelamping means, for

.instance,'a set'screw `51,1wherehy similarcas.d 'ings/40 niay beyadjustably secured upon rey -spectively opposite sides of the .vehicle.in any desired-relation witheach otlier.

Eachofsaid casi-ngs40 :may beraised and lowered with respect'fto ,itspositionion the vehicle and may ibefangularly Yadjusted `lat-- -erallyto pio'jectthe ylight either parallel Wit'hthe :direction `*ofthe lengthof the vehicle or in transverse relation thereto. r.Fhat is to say; a:pair of such rlanip casings 40 may -he relatively `adjusted tolrespectively project light in convergent or vdivergent directions.

Said bracket 46 may be prtV In the fornrof my invention shown in n YFigs. VI and VII; the source of lightrivithin the casi-ng401is anincandescentelectric lamp 'bulb 52. having its plug 53 inounted inasuit- -able socket 54 with its axisfextending 'parl-V :al-lel'with thedirection of the length of said 'openings `41V and 42 and 'transverselyto Ythe lengthofthe vehicle. Y The reflector 'is so Vformed and jlocated -as to project the 'maj orv portion of the lightfroni saidsource52 foi',-

Wardly through `said' casing opening`41, .be- Y low said visor 45, inbright vrays .57 Aportion of the light from saidsource 52.1sxalsoprojected forwardly .and downwardly) i in Yi si l'bright rays 58.However, the inner walls of said casings 40 also afford reflectingsurfaces supplementing said reflector so that the field illuminated bylight projected from said casings 40 includes dim rays 60 reflected fromthe bottom of the casings and projected above said brightrays 57.

`Although I prefer to embody my invention in lamp casings which arerectangular and which, consequently, can be manufactured without theemployment of the costly dies which are required for the ordinarycircular casings; it is obvious that a casing which is circular at thefront may be provided with such parallel oblong light openings as abovedescribed. Moreover, although I prefer to project the light through suchoblong openings, such openings are not essential to all of thecombinations of elements of my invention, which I desire to claim.Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise detailsofconstruction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious thatvarious modifications vmay be made therein without departing from theessential Ifeatures of my inventiorn'as Vdefined in the appended claims.For instance, although I have shown incandescent lamp bulbs with theilaxes extending transversely to the length of the automobile in whichthey are mounted; such bulbs may be located with their axes parallelwith the length of the vehicle, or otherwise.

I claim:

` l. In a vehicle headlight; the combination with a light casing havinga. substantially rectangular front of` greater extent horizontally thanvertically, and with two VCorrespondingly shaped, laterally oblong,

Cil

light openings therethrough, insubstantially parallel relation, oneabove the other; of` a septum between said openings including a visorextendingforwardly from said casing; 'a source of light, within saidcasing, including an electric incandescent lamp bulb, havingits axisparallel withsaid openings; and means, including a reflector behindVsaid source, arranged to `project light from said source through said'casing openings and with a field of illumination including dim raysabove brighter ravs. said brighter rays through said lower opening andsaid dim rays through said upper opening; whereby a warning signal isafforded without-f glare, abovesaid septum, `andthe road is illuminatedbelow said septum. e

2. In a vehicle hea-d light; Vthe combination with a light casing havinga substantially rectangular front-of greater extent horizontally thanvertically, vand with two rorrespondingly shaped, -lat'erally oblong,light openings therethrough, in substantially parallel relation, oneabove the other; of a septum between-said openings including a visorextending forwardly from said casing;

a source of light, within said casing, including an electricincandescent lamp bulb, having its axis horizontal; and means, includinga reflector behind said source, arranged to project light from saidsource through said casing openings and with a field illuminationincluding dim rays above brighter rays; whereby a warning signal isafforded without glare, above said septum, and the road is illuminatedbelow said septum.

3. In a vehicle head light; the combination with a light casing'havinga. substantially rectangular front of greater extent horizontally thanvertically, and with two laterally oblong',` light openingstherethrough, inparallel relation, one above the other; of a septumbetween said openings including `a visor extending forwardly from saidcasing; a source of light, within said casing; and means, including areflector behind said source, arranged to project light from said sourcethrough said casing openings and with a field of illumination includingdim rays above brighter rays; whereby a warning signal is affordedwithout glare, above said septum, and the road is illuminated-below saidseptum.

et. In a vehicle head light; the combination with a light casing havinga substantially rectangular front of greater extent horizontally thanverti ally, and with two laterally oblong, light openings therethrough,in parallel relation, one above the other; of a' septum between saidopenings; a scurce of light, within said casing; and means, including areflector behind said source, arranged to project light Afrom saidsource through said casing openings and with a field of illuminationincluding dim .rays vabove brighter rays; whereby a warning signal isafforded without glare, above said septum, and the road is illuminatedbelow said septum.

5. In a vehicle head light; the combination with a light casing having asubstantially rectangular front of greater extent horizontally thanvertically, and with two laterally oblong, light openings therethrough,in parallel relation, one above the other; of a septum between saidopenings; a source of light, within said casing; and means, including areflector, arranged to project light from said source through saidcasing openings and with a field of illumina'- tion including dim raysabove brighter rays; whereby a warning signal is afforded without glare,above said septum, and the road is illuminated below said septum. i

6. In a vehicle head light; the combination with a light casing having afront of greater extent horizontally than vertically, and with two,laterally oblong, light openings therethrough, one above the other; of aseptum between said openings; a source of light, within said casing; andmeans, includ- Y Fi ing a reflector, arranged to project light trom saidsource throughgsaid casing openings and with a field illuminationincluding dim rays above brighter rays; wherebya warning signal isafforded without glare,

above said septum, and the roadis i-llumi-V nated below said septum.

In a vehicle head light; the combina-V tion with a light casing 'havingtwo light openings therethrough, one vabove the other;

j of a septum between said openings; a source y laterally f oblong,

of light, within said casing; and meaiisin cluding a reflector, arrangedto project light from said source. through said casing openings and witha field of illumination in'- cluding dim rays above brighter rays;whereby a warning signal is afforded without glare, above said septum,andthe road is illuminated below said septum.

8. In a vehicle headlight; the combination with a light casing; of asource of light, within said casing; and means, including a reflectorarranged to project light from said .source through said casing with afieldot illumination including Vdim lrays above brighter rays; wherebyan upper warning signalis afforded without glare, by said dim rays, andthe road is illuminated, by said Vbrighter rays, below such signal.

9. In a vehicle head light; the combination with alight casing having asubstantially yrectangular front of'greater extent horizontally thanvertically, and with two,

light openings therethrough, in substantially parallel relation, oneabove the other; of a( source of light, within said casing; means,includinga reflectorbehind said source, arranged to project light fronisaid source. through both said casing openings, in bright rays emitted'from the upper opening and dim rays emitted from the lower opening; avisor above both said openings arranged to prevent the upward projectionof said bright rays from said upper opening but so f'ar above said loweropening as not to interfere with the projection of said dim rays fromsaid .lower opening; wliereb a warning signal is Vafforded without gare, above said visor, and the road is illuminated below said visor.

l0. In a vehicle head light; the'combina- Y tion with a light -oasinghaving a. rsubstane within said casing;

libanese but permit the upward projection of 'said dini rays from' saidlower opening; whereby a warning signal.V is afforded Without glare,above saidV` visor, and the roadi'silluininated below said visor. I j

11. In a. vehicle head light; the-combina.-

' tion with a light casing having a substantial-VV ly rectangularfrontofgreater extent horizontally than vertically,VV and with two,'lat

erally oblong, light openings therethrough,`

in substantially Y para-llehl relation, oneVV above the other; of a.source of light, within said casing; means arranged to project lightfrom said source through both said casing openings, in bright 1aysemitted from" the upper opening and dim rays emitted from the loweropening; a'visor above Vboth said openings'arranged to limit the upwardprojection of saidbright rays from said upper opening but permittheupward-projection of said dini rays frein said lower opening; wherebya wa-rningsignal is afforded without glare, above said visor, and theroad is illuminated below said visor.

I2. In a vehicle headlight; the combinawitli a light casing lfi-avii'igtwo light 'openings therethrough, one abo-veV the other; of

a source of light, within said casing; means arrangedrto project lightfrom said source throughboth said' casing openings, in bright raysemitted fronrthe; upper opening "and 'dini rays emittedV from the loweropening; a visor above both said openings arranged to limit the upwardprojection of said bright Y rays from said upper opening b-ut permitVthe projection of Vsaid diinri'ays from said lower opening; whereby awarning signal is afforded without glare, Vabove said visor, and theroad is illuminated below said'visor.

413. In a vehiclehead light; the combina tion with light' casing `havingtwo Vlight openings therethrough, one above the other;

of a source of li-glit,jwithin saidV casing;-V

means, including reflecting nieans Y behind and below said lst )i-irce,arranged to' projectV light from saidsource through both saidV casingopenings, in bright rays emitted from the upper opening aiid'diin` raysemitted from the lower opening; a visor above both said openingsarranged to prevent the upward projection of said bright rays from saidupper opening but permit the projection f of said dimV rays from saidlower opening;

whereby a warning signal is afforded with- 'out glare, above said visor,and the road is illuminated below `saidV visor.

14. In a vehicle head light; the combination with a light casing havingtwo Vlight openings therethrough, one above Ythe other; ot' a source of'light, within said casing;

means, including reflecting `means lbelow.

said source, arranged to project light from said source through bothsaid casing'open.- ings, in bright rays einitted'froin the upper openingand Vdini rays emitted from the,

lower opening; a visor above both said open- In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto ings arranged to prevent the upward prosigned my name atPhiladelphia., Pennsyl- 10 jection of said bright rays from said upperVania., this 20th day of February, 1924. Yopening but permit vtheprojection of said 5 dim rays from slaid lower opening; whereby CLARENCEA' GODSHALK' a. warning signa-l is ailtorded` without glare, lvitnesses:above said visor, and the road is illuminated J. H. CONNELLY,

below said visor. F. H. WANNER.

